Holgate residents return to assess superstorm damages

Nov. 9, 2012

Residents of the barrier island of Long Beach Island located in Ocean County, New Jersey were allowed to re-enter the island for the first time to see their homes after Hurricane Sandy cut the island off from the main land. Large bulldozers mix in with trucks and cars along Long Beach Blvd. in Holgate, New Jersey as residents were allowed back to the barrier island for the first time since being evacuated during Hurricane Sandy. / MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Written by

Nicholas Huba

@nicholashuba

Residents of the barrier island of Long Beach Island located in Ocean County, New Jersey were allowed to re-enter the island for the first time to see their homes after Hurricane Sandy cut the island off from the main land. Here Edward and Bunny Kaufman (right) walk with their insurance adjuster along the beach front property where their ocean front home is built in Holgate, New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy caused major damage to the barrier island and today was the first day residents were allowed to see the damage since they were evacuated during Hurricane Sandy. HOLGATE, NEW JERSEY ON FRI NOV 9,2012 MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/HOME NEWS TRIBUNE

LONG BEACH ISLAND RE-ENTRYThe Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge is scheduled to reopen today at 6 a.m. All island residents, except Holgate residents, with a re-entry placard or proof of ownership or residency are permitted on the island. Registered contractors will be permitted on the island. Homeowners and contractors will be allowed to begin demolition and construction. All insurance adjusters and inspectors are permitted with documentation and a work order. All trash can be placed at the curb, do not put it in the street or block fire hydrants. There will be a curfew in effect between the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. that will be strictly enforced, officials said. The entire island is without gas and, at this time, the water is not potable. A boil water advisory is still in effect. Water must be boiled for a minimum of one minute to be safe. Officials for New Jersey Natural Gas said service could be restored by Dec. 1 to most of Long Beach Island. Source: Long Beach Island Joint Emergency Operation Center

Residents of the barrier island of Long Beach Island located in Ocean County, New Jersey were allowed to re-enter the island for the first time to see their homes after Hurricane Sandy cut the island off from the main land. As a bulldozer piles mounds of sand to make a protective barrier in front of homes, Edward and Bunny Kaufman (right) walk with their insurance adjuster along the beach front property where their ocean front home is built in Holgate, New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy caused major damage to the barrier island and today was the first day residents were allowed to see the damage since they were evacuated during Hurricane Sandy. HOLGATE, NEW JERSEY ON FRI NOV 9,2012 MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/HOME NEWS TRIBUNE

Residents of the barrier island of Long Beach Island located in Ocean County, New Jersey were allowed to re-enter the island for the first time to see their homes after Hurricane Sandy cut the island off from the main land. A bulldozer operator piles mounds of sand in front of the ocean front area along Long Beach Blvd. in Holagte, New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy caused major damage to homes along the barrier island and today was the first time residents could see their home since being evacuated during Hurricane Sandy. HOLGATE, NEW JERSEY ON FRI NOV 9,2012 MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/HOME NEWS TRIBUNE

Residents of the barrier island of Long Beach Island located in Ocean County, New Jersey were allowed to re-enter the island for the first time to see their homes after Hurricane Sandy cut the island off from the main land. Here 80 year old Elizabeth Spillane looks out from what used to be her living room which is now open on two sides after tidal surge washed the front and one side of the home away during Hurricane Sandy. Today was the first time residents were allowed back to the barrier island to see their homes after being evacuated during Hurricane Sandy. HOLGATE, NEW JERSEY ON FRI NOV 9,2012 MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/HOME NEWS TRIBUNE

Residents of the barrier island of Long Beach Island located in Ocean County, New Jersey were allowed to re-enter the island for the first time to see their homes after Hurricane Sandy cut the island off from the main land. Here a photograph of Elizabeth Spillane and her husband was founded covered in sand inside the home that was destroyed by water and sand during Hurricane Sandy. Today was the first day residents were allowed back to their homes on the barrier island after being evacuated during Hurricane Sandy. HOLGATE, NEW JERSEY ON FRI NOV 9,2012 MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/HOME NEWS TRIBUNE

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LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP — Elizabeth Spillane thought she had everything ready for the upcoming summer at her two-story home on the corner of Scott Drive and Long Beach Boulevard.

Two weeks ago, that all changed.

Superstorm Sandy walloped the Jersey Shore, leaving a wake of destruction in the Holgate section of the township. The storm ripped off the side of Spillane’s house and many of her personal belongings inside were scattered.

On Friday, residents of Holgate, hardest hit section of Long Beach Island, where allowed to return to their homes for a couple of hours to assess the damages.

“I left it ready for next summer, but now that might not happen,” said Spillane, an 80-year-old resident of Valley Forge.

But she said she was prepared for what she saw Friday morning. She had watched reports of the destruction on television and read the accounts in newspapers.

“I’ve seen photos of it, but seeing it in person is so hard,’’ Spillane said. “This was an incredibly well-built home and to see what happens is heart-breaking.’’

The home has been the centerpiece of her family’s summers for about two decades.

“After the last day of school, we would load up of the car and be down here and not head back until school started,’’ Spillane said. “All of my children grew up here and now there grandchildren spend time here, we all love this place.’’

Township public works employees were busy Friday trying to rebuild the area’s fragile dune system.

Linda Allaman, 70, of Long Beach Boulevard said the dunes saved her home from certain destruction. Allaman’s home is located on the bayside of Long Beach Boulevard.

“We did not have any water in the house,’’ Allaman said, looking out over her front yard now covered in four feet of sand. “Without those dunes, our home would not be here right now. They saved us.’’

On Saturday, all Long Beach Island residents, expect residents of the Holgate section of the township, will be allowed to return to their homes. No timetable has been set for when residents of Holgate will be allowed to return.

Further down Scott Drive, Vinnie Renz walked around his yellow two-story home, shaking his head. The first floor of Renz’ home was completely knocked off its foundation and moved approximately 15 feet to the west.

“The first time we saw the house it was on a news helicopter fly-over, so we saw it right away, we knew it was gone,’’ he explained. “When we first saw it, it was shock, unadulterated shock — ‘oh my God, it’s gone’.’’

Renz said it was weird walking in the house for the first time after the storm.

“I knew what the outside was like from seeing it many times in photos. But when I went inside for the first time, it was eerie. The first floor is completely gone but there is nothing touched on the second floor,’’ he said. “We love it here and we are not going anywhere. It might take a little time but we will be back.’’